Dear Doctors, I am considering buccal fat removal/jowl lipo and potentially, also a chin implant. I am 27 and have always had a chubby face and big cheeks. Both my aunt and mum have very round faces too, with hardly any jowl definition and flabby cheeks. I had a neck lipo a few years ago and love the results - however, my face still looks chubby. So, a buccal fat removal or jowl lipo? And would/could a chin implant be necessary to elongate my face and help it appear more balanced? Thanks!

Doctor Answers (5)

Lipo or buccal fat pad reduction

August 25th, 2013

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Buccal fat pad reduction is a procedure that is not commonly performed but can make sense in the right patient. It is important to understand the anatomy before undergoing the surgery so that you are well informed. Normal aging reduces the buccal fat pad volume. It is true that some people have more volume in their cheeks than others. However, it is also universally true that that volume will decrease and descend over time. Removing too much buccal fat can cause premature aging. It is also important to remember that replacing fat that has been removed is extraordinarily difficult if not impossible. The main reason is the location of the buccal fat pad. It usually resides underneath a large muscle that is responsible for majority of the power motions of your chewing. Once that fat is removed that space collapses. Once collapsed it is very difficult to find the exact space and to reinsert a substance such as a filler or better yet fat. One potential solution is to use something like Sculptra. While I generally do not advocate buccal fat pad removal, I understand why somewhat would want procedures such as this. I tried to choose my patients very carefully and I also tried to be conservative in the amount of fat that is removed. Surgeons who trivialized this procedure simply don’t understand how difficult it is to correct deformities that may occur. The cost of the procedure can run anywhere from $3000-$7000, depending upon your geographic locale. Please visit with an experienced board certified plastic surgeon. My best advice is to always be conservative with any buccal fat pad reduction.

Buccal Fat Removal Pictures

Chubby face and big cheeks are a blessing for some

March 4th, 2012

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I would suggest you be careful and not try to do too much here. Your full face gives you a youthful look, something you are going to want back in 20 years. Buccal fat removal will not do much for you. Be very careful with liposuction on your face. Maybe a small chin would help minimally. I would consider repeating the neck lipo again, I think they were probably pretty conservative the first go around.

Buccal fat or jowl liposuction and possible chin implant am I a candidate?

February 1st, 2012

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Since you are twenty seven you must keep into consideration that your face looses it's fullness as you get older, childbirth, weight gains and losses, and if you remove the buccal fat pad area you may have some unwanted hollowness in that area later down the road. Personally I think some liposuction and a small chin augmentation with a slight augmentation of the lips will put your profile in harmony. It is a bit difficult to see the overall picture with the blocking on the photograph. The chin implant will not be placed to actually elongate the face but will give more pronunciation to the chin and the profile will be in better balance. Best regards!

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